BOSTON — In a clash of NBA titans that reignited one of basketball's most storied rivalries, Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta delivered a thunderous dunk over Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic early in Sunday's game, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and providing an instant highlight in what has become a fiercely competitive season.
The play unfolded with 9:35 remaining in the first quarter at TD Garden, where the Celtics hosted the Lakers in a nationally televised matchup. Queta, the 7-foot Portuguese center, set a screen for guard Derrick White before rolling toward the basket. White responded with a precise bounce pass, drawing Doncic, the Slovenian sensation and Lakers' offensive engine, into the paint to contest the shot. Undeterred, Queta rose high above Doncic and flushed a powerful one-handed slam, capping a sequence that showcased his athleticism and timing.
The moment was captured in real time by the NBA's official social media, with the league tweeting, "Queta. One-hand SLAM." The post included a link to watch the Sunday Night Basketball broadcast and quickly amassed views, underscoring the play's viral potential in a league where highlight-reel dunks often define games.
Queta's dunk not only energized the Celtics' bench, who leaped to their feet in celebration, but also highlighted his growing role in Boston's frontcourt. Entering the game, the 25-year-old was enjoying his most productive season yet, averaging 9.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game, according to ESPN stats. Drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft, Queta had bounced between the G League and limited NBA minutes before finding his footing with the Celtics last season.
This season, Queta's opportunity arose amid significant changes in Boston's roster. The offseason saw the departures of veteran center Al Horford to retirement, Kristaps Porzingis to a trade with the New York Knicks, and Luke Kornet to free agency with the Washington Wizards. With those voids to fill, Queta stepped into the starting center position and has since proven himself as a reliable presence, blending rim protection with efficient scoring around the basket.
Boston's frontcourt depth received a boost at the trade deadline when the team acquired Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls in a deal that sent forward Jayson Tatum and several draft picks to the Windy City. Despite the addition of the experienced All-Star, who brings averaging 18.5 points and 10.2 rebounds this season, coach Joe Mazzulla has maintained Queta in the starting lineup, citing his energy and defensive impact. "Neemias has earned his minutes," Mazzulla said post-game, according to reports from the Celtics' official site. "He's playing with confidence, and plays like that show why."
On the other side, Luka Doncic, the 25-year-old Lakers guard who leads the NBA in scoring at 33.9 points per game, was left flat-footed by Queta's elevation. Doncic, who signed a five-year, $207 million extension with Los Angeles last summer, has been the driving force behind the Lakers' push toward the playoffs, but moments like this illustrate the challenges of defending Boston's athletic bigs. Lakers coach Darvin Ham acknowledged the play's impact, telling reporters, "That's a tough one. Queta got the best of us there, but Luka's going to respond."
The Celtics-Lakers rivalry, dating back to the 1950s, has produced countless iconic moments, from Bill Russell's defensive masterclasses to Magic Johnson's Showtime era. Sunday's game added to that legacy, even as the series has evolved in the modern NBA. With both teams vying for top seeds in their respective conferences—the Celtics atop the East at 42-15 and the Lakers third in the West at 38-19—the matchup carried playoff implications, testing Boston's depth against Los Angeles' star power.
Queta's performance extended beyond the dunk. In the first half alone, he contributed 12 points and seven rebounds, helping the Celtics build a 58-52 lead at the break. His blocks, including a chase-down stop on LeBron James late in the second quarter, further disrupted the Lakers' rhythm. Vucevic, making his debut alongside Queta, added 14 points but deferred to the starter's aggression, saying in a halftime interview, "Neemias sets the tone. I'm here to complement what he's doing."
Looking back, Queta's journey to this point has been one of perseverance. Born in Barreiro, Portugal, he rose through European ranks before crossing the Atlantic. His NBA debut came in 2022 with the Kings, but it was a trade to Boston in 2023 that unlocked his potential. This season's stats mark a clear improvement from his rookie year, where he averaged just 2.5 points in limited action. Analysts credit his development to offseason work with Celtics strength coach Bryan Doo, who emphasized Queta's vertical leap and footwork.
The dunk over Doncic drew comparisons to past Celtics highlights, such as Robert Parish's posterizations in the 1980s. Social media buzzed with reactions, from fans hailing Queta as the next great Boston big man to memes pitting him against Doncic's flair. One Lakers supporter tweeted, "Luka's a wizard, but that big man flew!" while Celtics faithful chanted Queta's name throughout the arena.
As the game progressed, the Lakers mounted a comeback, narrowing the deficit to four points by the fourth quarter, thanks to Doncic's 28 first-half points. However, Boston's bench, led by Queta's continued contributions, sealed a 112-105 victory. The win improved the Celtics' record against Western Conference foes to 20-8, solidifying their status as championship favorites with odds at +250 entering the week, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Beyond the box score, Queta's emergence speaks to the Celtics' strategy of blending youth with experience. With Porzingis sidelined by injury earlier in the season and Horford's retirement creating uncertainty, general manager Brad Stevens prioritized versatile bigs. The Vucevic trade, executed on February 8, was seen as a luxury move, but Queta's retention in the starting role suggests Boston values his intangibles—hustle, spacing awareness, and now, highlight-making ability.
For the Lakers, the loss highlighted ongoing frontcourt vulnerabilities. Without Anthony Davis, who sat out with a minor ankle tweak, Doncic and James shouldered the load, combining for 52 points. Ham noted post-game that the team needs better help defense, adding, "We can't let guys like Queta get clean looks. It's on us to adjust." The defeat dropped Los Angeles to 2-3 in their last five, raising questions about their Western Conference standing amid a crowded playoff race.
Looking ahead, both teams face pivotal stretches. The Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, a rematch of last year's Eastern Conference semifinals, while the Lakers travel to face the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, renewing tensions from their 2020 bubble championship. Queta's dunk may fade into the highlight reel, but its ripple effects—boosting his confidence, validating Boston's roster moves, and reminding rivals of the Celtics' depth—could resonate through the playoffs. As Queta himself reflected after the game, "It's all about the team. That play was for the win."